Using Nanotubes to Store Data Forever

Curt Finch has more than two decades of software development and distributed workforce management experience. In 1997, Curt created the world's first internet-based timesheet application and the foundation for the current Journyx product offering. Curt has a B.S. in Computer Science from Virginia Tech. His book, All Your Money, is available on Amazon.

A nanotube is a very tiny cylindrical structure that exhibits extraordinary strength
and unique electrical properties.

Researchers at the Department of Energy and the University of California have invented
a mechanism which stores dramatically more data in a smaller space than ever before,
and it is hermetically sealed in such a way as to enable the data to remain valid
for millions of years.

The researchers' original paper (in PDF format) describes how a tiny shuttle can be
moved within the nanotube and positioned to change the resistance of the device allowing
for the storage of either a '1' or a '0'.

Devices using the technology could be available in just a couple of years.